We have so much to be thankful for. I look back at the lives of my grandfathers and I am amazed. Earl Beltz only experienced up to a 9th grade education, yet went on to work several jobs until he had a long technical career with AT&T. He rose to a position where even college-educated employees at “Ma Bell” would take him along to their conferences because they depended on him for knowledge in certain areas they did not have in certain areas. He and my grandmother Irene, who also worked, raised six children including my Mom, and had a good life. Wasyl Iwanyszyn left his homeland which had been taken over by the communist Soviet Union to come to this nation with barely a possession to his name. He and my grandmother Gloria, who worked as well, raised eight children including my Dad, and they also had a great life. All four of my grandparents were raised in the time of the Great Depression and came to age during World War II, and obviously witnessed and met many challenges. They couldn’t have done what they did outside of our United States. They weren’t handed the things of life, but rather lived a solid work ethic and a life of faith.
Our Independence Day is a month away today and Flag Day is a week from this upcoming Sunday. We just honored Memorial Day over a week ago. I am always patriotic, and this time of year is easier to be more so.
We have so much to be thankful for, and I am very thankful for the blessings God gives us in this special land. I am thankful for family, for liberty, and for opportunity. I am thankful to worship my Lord & Savior and preach His Word in a nation that doesn’t punish you like a criminal for doing so. I am thankful that I can have the honor to be sent by my neighborhood and community to represent them in matters of county governance. No other nation affords the opportunities this land does.
I am thankful for this land and for our flag.
I am disappointed that we have such a powerful element in our time today that would so hate and revile a person for taking the time to positively speak about his patriotism when he was asked for his view. I am especially disappointed that this same person, a well-respected and accomplished NFL athlete, was so pressured and felt the need to apologize for expressing his patriotism. He has nothing to be ashamed about in his statement standing for our nation and our flag. I am thankful for the service of both of his grandfathers.
I love our nation! I will not apologize for our founding principles rooted in Biblical principles, in liberty, and in opportunity and justice for the people.
I will not apologize for my patriotism.
I will not apologize for our flag.
May God bless us with revival in our great nation, with wisdom, with unity and with peace.
